Bill > H7462

This bill aims to make child care more affordable for working families in Rhode Island by codifying existing child care copayment rules into law and expanding access to zero copayments. Specifically, it will eliminate copayments for families earning at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is a measure of income used to determine eligibility for federal programs. For families above this income level, copayments will be set on a sliding scale, with those between 125% and 150% of the FPL paying 2% of their income, those between 150% and 200% paying 4%, and those between 200% and 300% paying 6%. The bill also preserves the existing statutory maximum copayment of 7% of a family's annual income, ensuring that no family pays more than this amount, and allows the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish higher copayments for families above 300% FPL, as long as they do not exceed the 7% cap. Furthermore, DHS can waive copayments for certain vulnerable families, such as those in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or with children who have disabilities. The bill also mandates that DHS periodically review the copayment scale to ensure affordability and compliance with federal law, and report any necessary changes to the General Assembly.

Budget and Finance

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